Rim Brakes - The rim brakes work when the brake lever
is pulled on the handlebar this causes a cable to compress the rubber brake pads
against the wheel rim.
Advantages:
1. Lighter than disc brakes
2. Less expensive than disc brakes
3. Mechanically very simple to maintain and fix
Disadvantages:
1. Stopping power deteriorates when the rim gets muddy or wet
2. Less stopping power than disc brakes
3. Requires a lot of effort to engage the brakes.
Disc Brakes in General:
Advantages:
1. Responds consistently in all riding conditions
2. Braking effectiveness is not affected by mud,
rain, and snow because the pads and rotors are
near the center of the wheel
3. Better stopping power than rim brakes
4. Requires less force to be effective so easier on the hands
Disadvantages:
1. Heavier than v-brakes (rim brakes)
2. More expensive than v-brakes (rim brakes)
3. More complicated to set up and maintain than v-brakes (rim brakes)
Mechanical Disc Brakes - The mechanical disc brake
functions when the brake lever is pulled on the handlebar this causes a cable to compress the brake pads against the disc rotor.
Advantages:
1. Easier to set up and maintain mechanically than hydraulic disc brake systems
2. Less expensive than hydraulic disc brakes
Disadvantages:
1. Can not modulate amount of brake force as easily as hydraulics
2. Have to apply more pressure to brake lever than hydraulic brakes
Hydraulic Disc Brakes - The hydraulic disc brake
functions when the brake lever is pulled on the handlebar this pushes
hyrdraulic fluid from master cylinder along the hyrdraulic cable going to
the caliper assembly, the hyrdaulic pressure will then compress the brake pads
against the disc rotor.
Advantages:
1. More precise control and sensitivity, which is good for technical riding
2. Don't have to use as much pressure to brake
3. Has a crisper feel than mechanical brakes
Disadvantages:
1. More complicated mechanically to set up and maintain
2. Can not fix on the trail if they fail because of the
special equipment that is needed.
( Example: master cylinder is ruptured. )
The master cylinder assembly.
Single Piston Caliper
Dual Piston Caliper
